America’s Most Livable Small Towns Amp Up the Charm

With safety, a strong sense of community, beauty and plenty of things to do, these small towns rank high on the livability index while also attracting tourists.

Cities can be fun and exciting, but they can also be loud, dangerous and exhausting. Because of this, more and more Americans are looking to move out of the city and into small towns where life is more peaceful.

The trick is to find a place that is safe and also offers plenty of things to do, with outdoor activities, cultural events and a strong sense of community. Sound like a dream? There are plenty of places that fit this criteria, but these are the best 10 small towns to live in.

Needless to say, they also make top destinations for travelers.

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8. Manorhaven, New York (Tie)

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Population: 6,956

Livability score: 68

Set on north Long Island, Manorhaven gives you access to Manhasset Bay. Residents enjoy beaches and tourists can book boat tours when the weather is nice. The town is close enough to New York City that you can go in whenever you need to catch a Broadway show or relish in the perks of the city. But it is far enough away that you won’t have to deal with the noise or traffic of the city.

Where to stay: Fathoms Hotel & Marina

Note: Rankings come from AARP’s “Top 10 Most Livable U.S. Small Towns in 2022” report.

8. Salida, Colorado (Tie)

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Population: 5,666

Livability score: 68

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains and crossed by the Arkansas River, Salida is heaven for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. You can spend your days hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking and even ziplining. And in the winter, you can hit the slopes covered by powdery snow.

To relax, the town offers rejuvenating hot springs, a historic downtown full of places to shop and dine, and fun cultural events.

Where to stay: Silver Ridge Lodge

8. White Rock, New Mexico (Tie)

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Population: 5,852

Livability score: 68

White Rock is another great place to enjoy the beauty of nature. The tiny town boasts mountains in its backdrop as well as Diablo Canyon, the desert and the Rio Grande. But, perhaps more impressively, it also has several cultural sites of great importance, including Painted Cave, where you can see pre-historic cave paintings.

For the best view of the town, the river and the gorge, head to White Rock Overlook.

Where to stay: Hampton Inn & Suites Los Alamos White Rock

5. St. Anthony, Minnesota (Tie)

Water rushing through lock and dam in St. Anthony

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Population: 5,612

Livability score: 69

More of a suburb than a small town, St. Anthony will give you easy access to both Minneapolis and St. Paul. Still, you’ll find a quiet life and several urban parks, where you’ll be able to enjoy some green. There are also golf courses that bring in travelers who want to relax while being close to the cities.

Where to stay: Holiday Inn Express Roseville-St. Paul, An IHG Hotel

5. La Crescent, Minnesota (Tie)

Great River Road - Mississippi River View Downstream from Dresbach Welcome Center at La Crescent MN

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Population: 5,276

Livability score: 69

Sharing part of the Mississippi River with Wisconsin, La Crescent is a border town where water reigns supreme. It is surrounded by numerous lakes and boasts small islands on the river. To complement the fluvial landscape, there are bluffs and forests that provide spaces to relax in nature.

Where to stay: Best Western Plus La Crescent/La Crosse

5. Falls Church, Virginia (Tie)

Bike trail during late autumn in Falls Church, Virginia, USA.

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Population: 14,658

Livability score: 69

Many people who work in D.C. but don’t want to deal with the noise of the city opt to live in Falls Church. The suburb is only about 30 minutes away from the capital, so you can go in whenever you want to enjoy a Smithsonian museum or brush up on your national history. But in your day-to-day life, you can admire the Victorian houses that adorn the town or hike around the beautiful Scotts Run Nature Preserve.

Where to stay: The Westin Tysons Corner

4. Orange City, Iowa

Orange City

Population: 6,267

Livability score: 70

Want to feel like you’re in Europe without crossing the Atlantic? Plan a trip to Orange City, Iowa. Founded by Dutch settlers, you’ll feel like you’re in the Netherlands as you walk down streets adorned with traditional Dutch architecture and plenty of windmills. And for a truly spectacular time, visit in May, when the town holds its annual Tulip Festival, which has been celebrated for almost 100 years.

Where to stay: Dutch Inn and Suites

2. Great Neck Plaza, New York (Tie)

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Population: 7,482

Livability score: 71

Great Neck served as the inspiration for Fitzgerald’s masterpiece, “The Great Gatsby.” Like in the book, residents of this town are well-off (though we can’t confirm that they hold Gatsby-style parties in their manors). With wealth comes many perks like safety, cultural events and great dining.

In short, if you have deep enough pockets, this is a great place to live. And if you have wealthy friends who live here, you’ll also love visiting. Otherwise, it’s a nice destination that’s off-limits to most people.

Where to stay: Inn at Great Neck

2. Los Alamos, New Mexico (Tie)

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Population: 13,179

Livability score: 71

Los Alamos is close to White Rock and shares many of its attractions but is more than double the size of its sister town. This brings with it more choices for dining and entertainment. To learn about pre-Columbian history, visit the Tsankawi Prehistoric Sites or see the Puye Cliff Dwellings. For a 20th-century history lesson, head to the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, as this town was one of the sites where the atomic bomb was developed during World War II.

And if you need a break in nature, you’ll be near Pajarito Mountain (and its ski area), the Santa Fe National Forest and the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Where to stay: Comfort Inn & Suites Los Alamos

1. Aspen, Colorado

Snowmass village, Aspen with shopping mall in Colorado downtown

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Population: 7,004

Livability score: 72

No small town in the U.S. can compete with Aspen. The famed ski town is blessed with a privileged location within the Rockies, which makes it an ideal outdoor destination. Residents (and visitors) enjoy the mountains in all seasons. From spring to fall, you’ll also be able to go whitewater rafting.

Plus, the town still exudes its old mining-town charm, with gorgeous brick buildings along Main Street. Because many of the people who live and vacation here are affluent, you can also expect fine dining options, microbreweries and fun cultural events in institutions like the Wheeler Opera House.

Where to stay: The Inn at Aspen